Defense (627) apologia by Greek Word Studies

Defense (627) (apologia from apo = from + logos = speech) literally means, “to talk one’s self off from". Apologia was a technical word used in the Greek law courts and was used of an attorney who talked his client off from a charge preferred against him. In short it refers to a speech given in defense. Although apologia may have the idea of a judicial interrogation in which one is called to answer for the manner in which he has exercised his responsibility, the word can also mean an informal explanation or defense of one's position (1Cor 9:3, 2Cor 7:11) and the word would aptly describe giving an answer to the skeptical, abusive or derisive inquiries of ill-disposed neighbors. There are 9 uses of apologia in the NT... Acts 22:1 "Brethren and fathers, hear my defense which I now offer to you." Acts 25:16 "And I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to hand over any man before the accused meets his accusers face to face, and has an opportunity to make his defense against the charges. 1 Corinthians 9:3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. Philippians 1:7 (note) For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. Philippians 1:16 (note) the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; 2 Timothy 4:16 (note) At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. 1 Peter 3:15 (note) but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence The English word “apologetics” comes from the Gr. word here translated “defense.” Peter is using the word in an informal sense (cf. notes Philippians 1:16; 1:17) and is insisting that the believer must understand what he believes and why one is a Christian, and then be able to articulate one’s beliefs humbly, thoughtfully, reasonably, and biblically. When Jesus Christ is Lord of our lives, each crisis becomes an opportunity for witness. We are “ready always to give an answer.” Our English word apology originally did not mean “to say I am sorry” but actually referred to “a defense presented in court.” Apologetics is the branch of theology that deals with the defense of the faith. Every Christian should be able to give a reasoned defense of his hope in Christ, especially in hopeless situations. A crisis creates the opportunity for witness when a believer behaves with faith and hope, because the unbelievers will then sit up and take notice. Wuest comments that... The exhortation is to Christians to talk the Bible off from the charges preferred against it, thus presenting for it a verbal defense. Today, Modernism has preferred charges against the Word of God, has placed it in the dungeons of the destructive critic’s inquisition, and has charged it with gross errors, and with being man-made. It is not allowed to speak for itself except through the prosecuting attorney, the destructive critic. But those who believe in a whole Bible, rather than a Bible full of holes, are admonished not to remain silent in the face of this attack by Modernism, but to defend the Bible against these false charges by presenting a verbal defense for it, refuting the statements of the destructive critic. Such a great classical Greek scholar as Professor John A. Scott, Ph.D., LL.D., in his excellent defense of the historical accuracy of the Gospels, writing in a context of the discovery of ancient manuscripts says, “So far as I know, not a single discovery has ever confirmed the conclusions of destructive criticism either in classical or biblical literature.” (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos) Asks (154) (aiteo) is in the present tense which means in essence "every time someone asks." Who is in us? The Spirit of Christ, Christ in us the hope of glory. We have been born again to a "living hope" (see note 1 Peter 1:3).

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Defense (627) apologia

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